Raleigh's Culinary Growth: An Interview with Amber Moshakos

Raleigh's Culinary Growth: An Interview with Amber Moshakos

Melissa interviews Amber Moshakos of family-owned LM Restaurants, the group behind concepts including Carolina Ale House, Taverna Agora, Birdie’s Ballroom, Vidrio, Oceanic/Bluewater in Wrightsville Beach, and SMASH on Glenwood South. Amber shares her parents’ immigrant story, how LM began as a 48-seat Florida oyster bar, and why the family moved to Raleigh after expanding Miami Subs. She discusses growing up in the business, choosing restaurants over medical school, and the pros and cons of working with family. The conversation covers Raleigh as an emerging, diverse dining market, current industry challenges like thin margins and rising credit card fees, what makes restaurants successful, and why experience-driven venues are growing. Amber also mentions favorite menu items, spots she wants to try, and upcoming LM projects in Florida and brand updates in Raleigh. 00:00 Meet Amber Moshakos  02:42 Family Origins and First Restaurant 04:58 Greek Roots Behind Taverna Agora 05:49 Moving to Raleigh and Early Growth 07:16 Choosing Restaurants Over Medicine 07:58 Making Family Business Work 09:20 LM Expansion and Florida Return 12:00 Raleigh Food Scene Evolution 17:13 Industry Challenges and Credit Fees 19:24 Sales Tax Relief Push 20:11 Restaurant Success Formula 20:58 Experience Dining Trend 22:33 Glenwood South Safety Plan 24:44 Advice for New Restaurateurs 26:43 Favorite Dishes Rundown 28:04 Non-LM Date Night Picks 29:51 What’s Next for LM 31:36 Hiring and Career Myths 32:55 Closing Thanks and Wrap

A Fun Spin on Dentistry: Dr. McCormick’s Entertaining Venture

Bryden McCormick, a Fuquay-Varina dentist and owner of Fuquay Family Dentistry, shares how he went from economics and banking to dentistry, then to creating McWally’s after seeing the town’s need for a family entertainment spot. He explains the years-long process from concept to opening on August 20, 2025, including feasibility studies, working with family entertainment consultants, covid-driven cost increases that doubled the project to $20 million, and securing SBA financing through a small Wisconsin bank. With events and marketing manager Emily Jones, he highlights McWally’s bowling, arcade, food, bar, outdoor patio, and 5,000-square-foot laser tag arena, plus the challenges of managing a large teen staff, heavy party volume, and plans for a potential second location. 00:00 Dentist Meets Fun 02:50 Why Dentistry Chose Him 04:11 Landing in Fuquay-Varina 05:02 The McWally's Idea 06:08 Covid Costs and Investors 07:43 Naming McWally's 08:44 Balancing Two Businesses 09:41 Financing Hurdles 11:01 Emily Runs Events Marketing 12:26 Laser Tag and Murals 16:03 Community Reaction and Vision 18:34 Running Day to Day 19:26 Leadership Behind Scenes 20:17 Juggling Parties 21:08 Bright Open Vibe 23:29 Favorite Activities 24:27 Advice for New Owners 26:45 Dream Add-Ons 27:32 Second Location Plans 28:25 Surviving Weekend Rush 28:55 Year Two Excitement 30:01 Follow and Book Parties 30:26 Closing Thanks

From Broadway to Raleigh: The Journey of Lauren Kennedy Brady

Lauren Kennedy Brady, a Raleigh native and Broadway performer, shares how early community theater and mentors led her to a BFA at the University of Cincinnati and a Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard through an agent connection, while describing the instability and rejection of acting careers. She explains her unexpected transition back to Raleigh after her father helped establish the Kennedy Theatre and a small summer season evolved into Theatre Raleigh, which she grew for 16–17 years into the area’s only professional theater, distinguished by paying artists under an Actors’ Equity agreement. Lauren discusses challenges that contributed to North Carolina Theatre’s closure, Theatre Raleigh’s intimate, affordable, immersive approach, its industrial-park location, and recent expansion including the Green Room coffee shop and a merger with Raleigh ACT serving 450 students. She previews upcoming productions including Dear Evan Hansen, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, and a holiday play plus a New Year’s Eve event. 00:00 Meet Lauren Kennedy Brady 02:44 Raleigh Roots in Theater 04:14 Breaking Into Broadway 05:50 Rejection and Staying Ready 07:35 From Actor to Producer 09:53 Returning Home to Raleigh 13:12 Broadway Backstage Reality 14:19 Raleigh Theater Scene Today 16:49 Theater Raleigh Location Vibe 18:21 Education Program and Raleigh Act 20:03 What Makes a Pro Theater 21:11 Equity Contract Explained 23:16 Why NC Theatre Closed 24:48 Tours vs Regional Theatre 25:48 Small Space Sustainability 27:01 Picking Shows for Raleigh 28:28 Cozy Immersive Experience 29:44 A Day in the Office 31:24 Coffee Shop and Education Hub 32:04 Staying Creative as a Producer 33:32 Dream Shows and Big Goals 34:54 Upcoming Season Highlights 36:33 Tickets and Final Thanks

Beyond Awareness: The Invictus Project's Mission Against Exploitation

Melissa talks with Whitney Miller, vice president of The Invictus Project, about combating the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children in North Carolina through partnerships with law enforcement, including four sheriff’s offices, the State Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations. Whitney explains how technology and covid-era shifts drove cyber tips from about 4,000 in 2019 to 52,000 last year, shares warning signs for parents, and emphasizes proactive conversations at home. Michael Phillips of Phillips Farm returns to discuss hosting a fundraising event for Invictus: the C10s Tailgate Party on June 6, featuring classic Chevy trucks (1998 and older), vendors, food trucks, live music, kid activities, and Invictus resources, with truck registration at c10stailgateparty.com and more information at invictusproject.org. 00:00 Crisis and Guests 02:30 Invictus Mission 03:58 Tech Shift Since Covid 07:40 Task Force Partnership 08:33 Funding and Tools Gap 13:16 Parent Conversations 15:37 Warning Signs and Access 19:34 Michael’s Dad Tactics 21:27 Kids Online Fame Risks 21:50 Handling Online Attention 22:31 Farm Life Boundaries 23:05 Safety Talks and Code Words 24:18 Why Support Invictus 27:55 Truck Show Details 30:56 Family Fun at Event 33:27 Why C10s Only 36:58 Summer Festivals Preview 38:46 Invictus Links and Wrap

Batter Up! Michael Villafana Talks Salamanders Baseball

Melissa interviews Michael Villafana, general manager of the Holly Springs Salamanders, about his path from sport management and marketing at Seton Hall to baseball roles in St. Paul and Worcester before moving to North Carolina and joining the Salamanders at Ting Park.  Michael explains the team’s summer-league model using college players from across the US, the vital host-family program, and his day-to-day focus on sponsorships, ticketing, and marketing within a small staff. They discuss making history with the Coastal Plain League’s first female player, catcher Alexa George, and how the organization builds fan connections through autographs, promotions, and player interaction. Michael shares career advice, the team’s refreshed brand identity, and what to expect at games — free parking, shaded seating, wide concourse, playground, and concessions — with tickets and schedules at salamandersbaseball.com. 00:00 Welcome to the Ballpark 01:33 Michael’s Baseball Journey 02:55 How Summer League Works 03:49 Recruiting Talent Nationwide 04:30 Host Family Program 06:51 GM Duties Behind the Scenes 09:34 Making League History 11:32 Building Fan Connections 13:26 Funniest On-Field Moment 15:06 What Makes a Great Player 15:27 Players Meet Fans 15:54 Entertainment Like Bananas 16:42 Career Advice Sports Jobs 18:44 Creating Memorable Moments 19:25 Team Vision and Rebrand 20:35 Ballpark Lightning Round 22:46 Tickets and Social Links 23:34 Bonus Fan Experience Tips 24:33 Family Friendly Ballpark Perks 26:52 Wrap Up for All Ages